The Myth of Running Backs

The trend in Fantasy Football the last few years has been to draft running backs early and often. This has been the one position where there was little depth and only a handful of stellar players. If you didn't draft a top back, you struggled all year.

It looks like that trend is continuing this year. As one example, just look at this mock draft. Out of the first 24 picks, 20 were running backs. However, the running back position has changed drastically over the past 2 seasons. I don't believe there is still a need to pick running backs in the first 2 rounds to build your team.

In my league last year, those teams that chose running backs in the first 2 rounds did not fair as well as those who chose differently. Look here for a more detailed look. Take another look at the mock draft. At least 4 running backs were taken ahead of Marvin Harrison, including Chris Brown, that have no business being taken at that point.

I agree that having a top-notch RB is extremely important, but drafting 2 RBs with your first 2 picks may not be the best move anymore. There are many more RBs available this year, and that lowers the value of almost all of them. LaDainian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes, and Shaun Alexander must be considered if they are there. But passing on Peyton Manning, Daunte Culpepper, or Donovan McNabb to get a RB that doesn't stand head and shoulders above the next 10 on the list is foolish.

You should always draft the best available player, not follow some positional formula.